Historian and CovSoc member, Peter James, tells us about the Civil War and how it impacted on Coventry. Peter writes…..
Prelude
The English Civil War was a series of battles between the Royalists and Parliamentarians that commenced in 1642. It was essentially a conflict over the balance of power between Parliament and the Monarchy. Charles I believed in the divine right of kings but Parliament wished to limit his powers specifically regarding taxation, law and appointment of officials.
Arrival in Coventry
It was 13th August 1642 when a representative of King Charles I arrived in Coventry. He addressed the mayor and aldermen and told them that the king would be arriving with an army. 800 cavalrymen and 300 infantry men would require entry to the city. The mayor offered to admit the king and a maximum of 200 of his followers. This was flatly refused by the king who saw Coventry as a potential strategic base in the middle of the country.
Charles I sought refuge at Stoneleigh Abbey the home of Sir Thomas Leigh and family, where he was welcomed and provided shelter.
The Siege of Coventry
The 19th August saw the king’s artillery open fire on the city from its position on Park Hill. They bombarded the city until news of parliamentary forces approaching forced them to withdraw. John Hampden and Lord Brooke leading 11 horse troops and 4,800 foot-soldiers were on their way. Fortunately damage to the city walls was minimal and soon repaired.
Withdrawal
The Royalist troops withdrew and marched to Nottingham where on Standard Hill near Nottingham Castle the royal standard was raised on 22nd August 1642. This was regarded as a declaration of war with Charles signalling to his supporters to prepare for conflict. A plaque on Standard Hill commemorates this historic event.
Charles I selected Nottingham due to its central position which was seen as being strategically important. Its possibly the reason that he’d tried to base himself in Coventry.
English Civil Wars
- The First English Civil War was fought between 1642 and 1646 featuring battles of Edgehill and Marston Moor.
- The Second English Civil War broke out in 1648 after Charles I who was imprisoned attempted to regain power. He persuaded the Scots to invade England in an effort to restore him to the throne. Royalist and Scottish forces were decisively defeated by Parliamentarian forces led by Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Preston.
- The Third English Civil War between 1649 and 1651 culminated with Parliamentary victory at Worcester.
Outcome
Parliament was purged of Royalist sympathisers and the remainder (known as the Rump Parliament) put Charles I on trial accused of treason. Found guilty he was beheaded on 30th January 1649 on a scaffold erected outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall.
Commonwealth Period
A Commonwealth was established after the execution of Charles I.
In 1653 Oliver Cromwell dissolved Parliament and assumed the title of Lord Protector.
When he died in 1658 his son Richard succeeded him for a short time.
Restoration
Parliament was recalled and the monarchy was restored in 1660 when Charles II returned.
He reintroduced royal ceremonies and the Order of the Garter.
The Restoration led to redistribution of land and compensation for Royalists.
Retribution
The Earl of Northampton and his men arrived in Coventry on 22nd July 1662.
Their mission was to destroy the City walls.
It took 500 men about 3 weeks to remove the walls.
The 12 City gates were spared although only 2 remain today.
Sent to Coventry
During the battles of the Civil war many Royalist prisoners were held in Coventry.
The treatment of Royalists by Coventry people is believed to be where the phrase “Sent to Coventry” originated. It means to deliberately ostracize or shun someone.
In May 1945 my mother and other pregnant women were sent from Coventry to Kenilworth.
Bomb damage to Coventry hospitals during WW2 had left a lack of available beds.
Two nursing homes – Moorlands and The Towers in Kenilworth established maternity units and were used for Coventry women to give birth.